Chapter Seven. The Doctrine Of Justification In The Formula Of Concord

Abstract

This chapter analyses Formula of Concord (FC)'s doctrine of justification. In order to examine the nature of justification in FC, the chapter analyzes its christological presuppositions about justification. A central problem in FC is the relation between Christ's person and His work. FC condemns the heresies of both Osiander and Stancarus, which regard only one nature of Christ as righteousness. The most extensive description of justification in BC is found in FC III, although FC also discusses the essence of faith in articles II (Free will) and IV (Good works). Compared to Luther and the texts of the formulators of FC, the relation between justification and Christ's presence is described in a perfunctory way. The idea of two unions was present in patristic writings, as in Cyril's theology (an example which Chemnitz made known). Luther also offers different forms of renewal in his Commentary on Galatians.Keywords: Chemnitz's christology; Christ's righteousness; Commentary on Galatians; Cyril's theology; doctrine of justification; Formula of Concord (FC); Lutheranism; Osiander